Well reaming tool



July 7, 1931. L 5, HAMER 1,813,160

y I WELL REAMING 'rooL Filed Feb. 8, 1927 @zt y `Patented July 7, 1931 HAMER; oF-fnoire-jnnncm CALIFORNIA, AssIGivoR; BY menons@ ASSIGrIirivIENTS,v .To JOHN z GnANT; on "Los Aivefynnnsg` CALIFORNIK LnLnivn s;

WE'LLREAMINGTGoL l Y eenling;

The cfutting members areY normally Urged' outn'idly, ae-*held linhy the easing' during' the passage of .the OOl ,dQWHWLIdIY through tlieeasiiigf, and 'expend immeditely feed ontvfiidllvj so "quickl'y'y thht "they, 'imbed themselves the formatonf;v making'ft: im'- therefore, itis impossible 101111311101111; the 11x01 j pensive opertons.; y y,

" Itis-an object' of'this invention' to povde avsmple,Y efeetivefand relialolerea-111er forv y another operative' position;

use in driHin-gi vvidfii -the"rotary method.

I ft'is 1L further obje'tof"myfiiiventin to" A frther obje/ct of my'nventionis to pr'oi View sienne wir@ 4; show-111g mefperts" vie-w1 teken innietedrb'yiiine (1;61011 Fig? 8511 ZiendmH H f Figi '.7 isn? detailed,l trnsveifs'e, see'tien" rotafy method of 4vvel'll drii'ling and is` partiel nlar-y. useful for under#renaming;orY enlnrgssf inge bo 'ex-'2 Y* 11111113 1t neeees'ernyunited110 oper-ation 11i-.a

suitable construction to follow the drill and enlarge the hole or bore formed by it.

The preferred construction embodying my invention includes, generally, a body 10, an enlargement or head 11 on the lower portion of the body, an enlargement or head 12 on the upper portion of the body, a plurality of cutters 13 carried by and between the heads 11 and 12, and various other features and details of construction, the formation and functions of which will be hereinafter described.

The body 10 is elongate in form and is preferably a unitary or integral member extending centrally throughout the entire length of the tool. The body 10 operates, generally, as a mounting or carrier for the various other parts of the tool. In the particular arrangement or applica-tion of the invention shown in the drawings, the tool is connected in a string of drilling tools, that is,

between a drill pipe 11i and a bit 15. In a case of this kind, the upper end of the body 10 may be provided with a tapered, screwthreaded projection 16 to receive a coupling member'l which operates to connect the drill pipe with the body. The lower end of the body 10 may be provided with a screwthreaded part 18 which receives a coupling 19 provided with a screw-threaded socket 2O to .receive the bit 15. In the drawings, I have shown a typical iishtail bit which maybe run in advance of the reamer as a pilot.

The lower head 11, provided on the lower end portion ofthe'body 10, is rigid with the body and is provided as a carrier for the lower ends of the cutters. In the drawings, I have shown the head 11 formed separate from the body 10` and held on the body between a downwardly facing shoulder 22 and the upper end of the coupling member 19. The head 11 may be fixed on die bot y 10 against rotation by any suitable means; for instance by means of a key 23. The head 11 is provided in its upper end with sockets or ropenings 25, to receive the cutters. In practice,`I prefer lto -provide bushings 26 in the openings 25 to take the wear of the cutters.

i The upper head 12 is provided on the body 10 at a point spaced a substantial distance .above the lower head 11 and includes, generally, two sections 28 and 29. The section 28, which is the uppermost section of the head, is rigid on the body 10 and may be considered aA part of the body. The section 29 is .arranged below the section 28 and is mounted for rotation on the body. The section 28 is shown formed separate from the body 10 in which case'it may be retained on the upper end of the body by the coupling member 17 and may be fixed against rotation on the body by means of a key 30, or the like.

In* accordance with -my invention, I provide means whereby the sections 28 and 29 of `the upper head 12 are related or interconnected so that the lower section 29 is allowed a limited amount of rotation relative to the upper section 28. This means may constitute inter-meshing parts on the sections; for instance, the upper section 28 may be provided at its lower side with a plurality of spaced lugs 31, while the lower section 29 may be provided on its upper side with a plurality of spaced lugs 32 which fit between the lugs 31 with sulicient clearance to allow the desired amount of relative rotation between the sections. This particular form of inter connection is desirable as it is simple and at the same time very strong and durable. lVith this arrangement, rotative strain imparted to the upper section 28 through the key 30 is in turn effectively imparted or communicated to the lower section 29 through the engagement of the lugs 31 with the lugs 32. It is desirable, in practice, that the inter-meshing lugs 31 and 32 be protected or housed so that mud or foreign matter will not get between the lugs to prevent their functioning in the desired manner. To this end, I may provide an annular iiange 33 on one of the sections, for instance, en the upper section to extend downwardly around the lugs and thus enclose them.

The lower section 29 of the upper head 12 carries a plurality of blocks 35 which hold the upper ends of the cutters 18. In accordance with my preferred construction, guideways 36 are formed in the lower side of the section 29 to slidably carry the blocks 35. The guideways 36 have parallel side walls and are disposed tangentially. There is, of course, one guideway for each cutter included in the tool and, in practice, the several guideways are equally spaced around the section 29 in the manner shown in the drawings. The particular angle or inclination of the guideways may be varied somewhat, depending upon the design, size and other like features entering into the tool, it being essential, generally, that the inclination or angularity be such as to obtain the action or inode of operation hereinafter described. rIhe blocks 35, which hold the upper ends of the cutters 13, are slidable in the guideways between out positions where they are in the outermost parts of the guideways, as shown in Fig. i of the dra-wings, and in positions where they extend into sockets or recesses 4C() formed in the body 10. The blocks 35 are proportioned with reference to the guideways so that they are entirely within the guideways when out, as shown in Fig. 4.-, thus allowing the body 10 to assume a position with reference to the section 29 where the recesses i0 are out of register with the guideways and the body engages inner ends of the blocks to positively hold the blocks out. In practice, I provide partsor stops 42 which project into the guideways at their outer ends to stop or positively limit the outward movement of the blocks. IVhen the blocks 35 are out and the parts are ige-ramo in' operating position, as* shown` in ViFig. i4:;

the ystops 42 positively hold the blocks against outward ymovementlwhile the'v body 10 posi tively holds the blocks against: Ainward move` y nient. .The recesses 40v provided inthe body 10 are proportioned to more or less freely vreceive the inner endsl of the blocks.

Theblocks 35 are provided ,with openings 50 to receive the upper ends ofthe. cutters. Inacase where it is desired tov getthemaxi; mum `amount of eirpansion'of the cutters, the openings 50 are located'ascloseias possible to the outer'end's of Vthe'blocks to thus carry' the#r upper-rends of the cutters far4 out when'the. 'blocks move out to the position shownin Fig.

4. It will be obvious frominspectio-nofthe drawings v.that the .openings` 50 Vmay be made to more or less looselyreceive the ends'of the v cutters so that .parts do not bindfdue to the (ifi chang'e. of angularity between: the 'blocks and cutters vini the operation" ofthe device between the two p'ositions.- The openings 50 are in' the form of sockets and, in practice,

I may providethrustiwashers 50a in theA openings, .as shown" in the drawings. It is also'to -be understood that the lower ends of the cutters are carried by the lower head so Vthatthey can operate freely between the in and :out position; It is desirable, in practice, tol housek or; enclose the/'parts 'j ust described to prevent them with Vb'ein'gcloggedwith mud or foreign matter'a'ndytherefore, I may provide a .housing 4.around the 1 section 29 .to close the guideways; The housing is provided with openings 51 which allow free operation of the cutters. s

v'Ihe cutters13 used :in carrying out my in-v vention may varyconsiderably in design/and.: construction, itl..being preferred in` :most cases i `to use rollercutters such as' areeinployech. generally, .in rock drills, and thelike. In.

the clrawings`,I have illustrated'` roller cutters and have sh'ownffthey rexteriors ofthe rollers occupiedby sharp cutting parts or teeth. 1- In ethe construction shown 1n `the drawings,

th'efcuttersv are provided at .their lower ends with trunnions '67y which: arerotativelyqcan ried' in the bushings 26: carried by theh'eadv llfand are provided attheir 'upper'ends with trunnions rGS'wliich are carried inthe openings 50 provided inthe blocks 35V. l K In accordanceiwith 'my invention, I prefer to forin the cutting teeth in'rows"extendingl longitudinally of the cutters. Thefrowsof teeth are preferably pitched orspiralled somewhat around the cutters vso that movenient of the tool through a hole with the teeth',` of thecutters engaging the wal-ls of-'the hole' causes'the cutters to tend to'move the blocks v35 inthe gui'deways." By pitching therows vof teeth 651in one direction, the tendency willfbe forfthel b-locks35 to move outwardly in theiguideways while by pitching the rows of teeth'i-n the opposite `direction,`the tendency will be for the blocksLS' tornove inwardlyin.

thergu-ideways." It isto'befparticularlynoted' that the rollersprovidedin my constructiorir are comparatively'i large in diameter. Inl practice, I provide recesses-7()v inthe body be#J tween the heads lland 12to receivefthe roll;

ersi These recesses are clearly-illustrated iti- Fig. 6 offth'e drawings. Itis toebeiandere@ stood, of course, thatlan vopening 71'fisf' formed i longitudinally throughthe body 1:0 soithfat erlik'e'i, maybe circulf mudvladen fluid, or th lated through the tool.` 1

The tool .is adapted to be lowered intoa';y welll with the `cutters in .the 1in :or collapsed posiai tion, .the blocksv 35 proj ectfinto the sockets-40" in the body. VV'henl the tool has been loweredi.

to the point `atw'h'i'ch litis desired l'tolstartithe.

realmng operation, it is rotated `by 'rotzitingif thedrill pipe llin a; right han'd'eddirecti'onle when viewed from above.r Whenfthecutters are in the in position and ithe'tool :isi `r otated,'l` the rotative strainis impfartednfrom thefbo'dyf.

l0 to the section 29 and cutters 13 th'roughithe blocks This is becauserthescoperatingi lugs 31 andf32, which interconnect th'ezsec tions 28 and 29, are `not-'in driving.:engage` ment'when the body 10 and .sectionf29aare in;

position to allow the blocksf35ato extend intel. the sockets 40. y ets 40 bear againstltheinner endportions'ffof the blocks 35. It .is to be notedV that :thef Wallis.A

7 2 of the sockets are inclined 'or?"m'gularl'yf4 disposed to be parallel with the'gui'deways*3Giv The end walls 72.ofthesock4A when the `parts aretin the" position shown? in i Fig. 5 and that this inclinationsof the walls..

72 tends to force or urge theblocks outwardly: f

in the guideways- 36 as the yblocks35uare car-z riedV aroundwith the body. This tendency* for'the-"cutters 13 to move outwardly-inthef-r gui deways is aided by centrifugal forceiwhiclr acts yon the cutters y.and blocks t0' throw thema outwardly with the result that'th'e cuttersf so that they are'free inf the hole whenft'hey` its.

reach theexpanded position. -At any time during theV expanding operation, theoutters can be forced infifthey engage `anfobstruc- A tion' or are being expanded; in afhard'forma'e:

tion inwhichxthey mightotherwise becones` tightly set. 4In practice, the inclinationfor:

formation ofthe ypartis above describedftos` gether with the centrifugal force.acting:on

the `cutters to Vthrow them 'outwardlygcauses J the cutters to effectively feed out tothe 'exif panded position. When all offthe cutters;

have .reached fthe.. eirpan'ded position, thef blocks l35 areflimi-ted against .further outward '1- movement by the stops 42. The moment all of the blocks 35 reach the out positiomthe body l() is free to rotate relative to the section 29 so that it moves behind or under the inner ends of the blocks 35 and thus locks the blocks in the out position so that the tool can be forced or fed against its work without the cutters being forced inwardly or collapsed. The rotation, which takes place between the body 10 and section 29 to move the body behind the blocks to lock the cutters out, moves the lugs 3l into engagement with the lugs 32 so that the section 29 is driven directly from the section 28. Under this condition, the driving strain is imparted directly from the section 29 to the blocks 35 occupying the guideways in the section 29. It is to be noted that my arrangement and construction allows for comparatively large bearing surfaces between the section 29 and the blocks 35. With my construction and arrangement as above described, the movement of the blocks between the in and out positions swings or tilts the upper ends of the cutters circumferentially as well as radially. In practice, I may utilize this circumferential shifting of the cutters to aid the opening or expanding of the cutters or to aid the closing of the cutters. For instance, if the parts are designed and proportioned so that the upper ends of the cutters move circnmferentially from an inclined position to an upright position in which they are inclined only in a radial direction, they will tend to feed out or expand as the tool is lowered in the hole, whereas, if this positioning is reversed, they will tend to collapse or move inwardly as the tool is lowered in the hole. The drawings show the latter arrangement with the collapsed cutter in a vertical plane radial of the tool center, the upper ends of each cutter being displaced behind that vertical radial plane. when expanded. In Fig. 2 the collapsed position of a cutter, viewed face on, is indicated by the center line A; the expanded position by center line B. This lpitching of the cutters, together with the pitching of the rows of teeth on the cutters, may be utilized to great advantage in assuring proper operation-ofy the tool. On straight lowering, the upward drag of the wall (pipe or formation) on the cutters tends to straighten them up and thus keep them in collapsed position. Rotation, however, immediately throws the upper ends around to a position behind the vertical radial plane of the lower endsthat is, the upper ends, in addition to being tilted outwardly as shown in Fig. 2, are also tilted rearwardly with reference to the direction of rotation, as is indicated in Fig. 2. The effect thus is that the upper and most outwardly projecting end of the expanded cutter drags behind the lower end. When the desired reaming operation has been completed, the cutters can be collapsed or moved to the in position by rotating the drill pipe 14 in the reverse direction (left-handedly) enough to bring the body l0 in position where the sockets therein will receive the ends of the blocks 35. l/Vhen the body is in this position, it is apparent that the blocks are no longer locked out and, therefore, the cutters will readily collapse, allowing the tool to be withdrawn from the well.

, Having described only a typical preferred form of my invention, I do not wish to limit myself to the specific details set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any changes or variations that may appear to those skilled inthe art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A tool of the character described including a. body, a` cutter having one end carried by the body, a block shiftable relative to the body and carrying the other end of the cutter, and al member rotatably carried on the body and carrying the block so that it is movable outwardly of the body, the block having a direct bearing engagement on the body.

2. A tool of the character described including a body, a cut-ter having one end carried by the body, a block carrying the other end of the cutter, and a member rotatably carried on the body and slidably carrying the block so that it is movable outwardly of the body, the blocs having bearing engagement with the body when in the out position.

3. A tool of the character described including a body, a cutter having one end carried by the body, a block carrying the other end of the cutter, a carrier for the block rotatable on the body and carrying the block so that it is movable to a position where the cutter is in an extended position, the body having a part to engage and hold the bloc-k in the extended position, and means whereby the carrier is engaged to rotate with the body when the said part of the body engages the block. n

4t. A tool of the character described including a body, a cutter having one end carried by the body, a block carrying the other end of the cutter, and a member mounted on the body and carrying the block so that it is movable to an out position where the cutter projects from the body, said member being rotatable on the body only when the critter projects fromthe body so that a part of the body engages behind the block to hold it in the out position.

5. A tool of the character described including a body, a cutter having one end carried by the body, a block carrying the other end of the cutter, a carrier for the block rotatable on the body and carrying the block so that it is movable to a position where the cutter is in an extended position, the body having a. part to engage and hold the block in the extended position, and means whereby the carrier is engaged to rotate with the body llO Miele@ 215 when the lsaid part of the body engages-the block, said means includingy cooperating lugs on the carrier and in connection `with the body. y i A lf y 6. .Atoolof thecharacter described kincluding abody, .a cntterhavingoiie end carried by the body, a vblock carrying the other end of the cutter, a Vcarrier for the block rotatable on the body and carrying the block .so-that itismovableV to` a positionwhere the cutterr is in an extended position, the body having a vpart to lengage and hold the block in the extended position,A and means connecting the body and carrier for limited relativemovement and so that the carrier is rotated with the body when the said part of the body engages the block. i i

7. tool Aotwthe character described including a-body,a cutter having one end caririedby.thecbody,y aiblock carrying the other d end-ofthe cutter, a Vcarrier)orthe block rogtatable on the bodyand carrying the. block so that itis movable to` a position where the cut-l -ter is in anextended.positiointheibody hav'- .inggal part to engage and hold the block in the extendediposition, 'and co-operating lugs connecting ,the body and ,carrier for limited relative movement and psozthat the carrier is ro- .tatedflwith the body when .the said .part of /19ll50Clyy engagesfthe block. l

:8. i A tooloffthe characterdegorbed nclmp ringfalbody, acu'tter havingfone. end carried vbyzthe body, a yblock,carrying the other end of the cutter, and a memberrotatably carried on the body'and slidably carrying the .block, the body having a recess to receive atheblock ,in the in position and having a parttoengage'behind andlhold thevblocl;` in

,fthe ont position.

tool of vhe charactervrdescribed inv cluding abody, a cutter having one end carriedby the body, a block 'carrying the other `iend of thelcu'itter, andamembe'rrot'atable on the body and having a guideway slidably carrying they block, .the rguideway extending ,'tangentially ,relative `to vthe body,` the body havinga recess to receive the blockinfan .in v,position and having a. partto engage behind l,theblock.to hold it rin ythe out position, the .recessandlsaid part being movable into and out y,of operative position by relative rotation l, .between `the body and said member.

' 1:0. A y,tool of thecharacter described in- .cluding abody, a `cutter having one end carried by thebody, aiblock carryingthe other :end ofthev cutter, a memberirotatable onthe `body and havinga guideway slidably carryvving .ihe,b1ock, the -giiideway extending tani gentially relative totlie body,"the'body having areoess to receive the yblockin an in positionand havinga part to .engage behind the block to hold it in the out position, the recess and said part beingjmovablefinto and 401.15 ofioperativeposition by relative rotation between the bedr and Seid member :and

Ameans whereby. thejsaidmexnber is connected With thebody to operate, tl`1-erle`withl when the said part of thev body'is engaged behindift'he blOCl'.v j i i* n 11. Atool v cluding aT body, a` cutter. havingrv oneend: cari red by the body, a blockarrying'thefcther endoi:l .the cutter, vamember rotatable on the gentially` relative tothe body, the:A bodyhaying a. recess to receive Vtheblock` in yarninf plo'-y sition and having ay partito. engagefA behind the iblock to hold itY -,the 'out positiom the krecess and llsai'dpart being. movablefiinto ffdz v ont of operative5 position"by1 relativerroin between the body 'and said member, yc0- Operating lugs, whereby- Y,the Said member iS Connectedivithmebadateepemteetevth .when thesaid partie .thelbody `behindtheblock.y 4` Y' ofthel ,characterv described body and having. a .guideway'slidabiy Carsty- Y ing the block, `the guideiray` extending',tain-5` @luding afbdygwilterfha S21-leende@ `fied, bythe body,l eWeek-partying theether end of the cuttena memberarotfatable ol body Mid havinge-gudefay.slid blye ingthe block, the sidewey examinateugentially relatvej-tofthe-xbedyfthebodyihaw ingr a .7 recess to Yreceive thebloclt :ff s anf,in

lPosition and vllavllefa part teenseseieehedf Htleblok t0 holidit'-inithe-1Qete; Osienstm Y recess andisadvparftb'ng Inevalecintoy and ont of operative position by relative rotation between vthe body and said member, and

. vmeans for limiting` ontw-ardmovernent of' thef-l block intheguideway.

13; A tool-ofthe character kdescribed..i-including a body,itwo heads spacedfapartlongivtudinally on the kbody, and af-rollercntter carried between theheadsv,-one of the heads'.

including a section fixed toithebedy, afsec- -.tion rotatable,y on lthefbodyto bedriven from [the irst mentioned ;section,and a'block slid- .;ably carried` Vby the rotatable section and ,holding oneend of-the'cutter,V .i l f .14. A `tool of the characterA described` including a body,-t wo lheads spaced ap artvlongitudinally on the body, *and a roller cutter carried between the heads, one of the heads including a -setion fixed to the body, a sec# the body, a section rotatable on the bodyaco- Operating lugs-0,11. the sectionseonnectngithe sections for limited relative rotary. movement, e -tansential suidenay the rentable ,see-

tion, and a block carrying the other end of the cutter and slidably carried in said guidewa 15b. A tool of the character described including a body, two heads spaced apart longi tudinally on the body, a roller cutter carried between the heads, one of the heads including a section fixed on the body, a section rotatable on the body, means connecting the sections for limited relative rotary movement, a tangentially disposed guideway in the rotatable section, and a block carrying one end of the roller and slidably carried in the guideway, the body having a recess to receive the block in the in position and having a. part to engage behind the block in the out tion having a plurality of tangentially disposed guideways, and blocks holding the ends of the cutters slidably carried in the guideways, the blocks being slidable between in itions where they project into recesses 1n the body and out positions where the rotatable section can rotate on the body so that parts of the body engage behind the blocks.

18. A tool of the character described including, a body, a cutter having its lower end connected with the body for tilting motion, a block movable relative to the body and carrying the other end of the cutter, and means whereby the block shifts in a plane substantially tangential of the body.

19. A tool of the character described including, an elongate body, a cutter having one end rotatably carried by the body, a block shiftable laterally of the body and carrying the other end of the cutter, and a member rotatably carried by the body and carrying the block to shift it relative to the body.

20. A tool of the character described including, a body, a roller cutter having one end rotatably carried by the body, a block shiftable relative to the body and carrying the other end of the cutter, and a member rotatable on the body having a tangential guideway slidably carrying the block, the body having a recess to receive the block in an in position, and means whereby the block is shiftable to an out position only on relative movement between the body and said member, the body having a part to engage behind the block to hold it in an out position.

21. In an expansive reaming tool, a vertically elongate body rotatable about a central vertical axis, a cutter carrying mandrel pin guiding the upper end of the mandrel pin in i movement in a plane nonradial of the body.

22. In an expansive reaming tool, a vertically elongate body rotatable about a central vertical axis, a-cutter carrying mandrel pin extending vertically of the body and having its lower end mounted in the body for tilting motion, a cutter mounted on the mandrel pin, and means in the upper p-art of the body guiding the upper end of the mandrel pin in movement substantially tangential of the body.

23. In an expansive reaming tool, a vertically elongate body rotatable about a central vertical axis, a vertically extending mandrel pin, a rotatable roller cutter surrounding the mandrel pin, the mandrel pin projecting above vand below the upper and lower ends respectively of the roller cutter, means mounting the lower end of the mandrel pin on the body for swinging movement of the mandrel pin about its lower end as a center, the upper part of the body having a slot in a plane substantially tangential to the body, the upper end of the mandrel pin entering and being guided by said slot.

24. In an expansive reaming tool, a vertically elongate body rotatable about a central vertical axis, and a longitudinally extending cutter mounted on the body and movable between a collapsed positio-n wherein the cutter lies substantially in a vertical plane radial of the body center and an expanded position wherein one end of the cutter lies radially outwardly of the other end and also lies circumferentially behind said other end with reference tothe direction of rotation.

25. In an expansive reaming tool, a vertically elongate body rotatable about a central vertical axis, a longitudinally extending roller cutter mounted on the body and normally standing in a collapsed position substantially in a vertical plane radial of the body center, and means for guiding the upper end of the cutter from the collapsed position to an expanded position wherein that end lies radially outwardly of the other end and also lies circumferentially behind said other end with reference to the direction of rotation.

26. In a reamer, a vertically elongate body rotatable about a central axis, and an elongate roller cutter mounted on the body and extending, in its cutting position, diagonally upwardly and outwardly and circumferentially with respect to the body axis, so that the upper end of the cutter lies outward of and circumferentially displaced from the lower end.

27. In a reamer, a vertically elongate body rotatable about a central axis, and an elongate roller cutter mounted onthe body and ex= tending, in its cutting position, diagonally upwardly and outwardly with respect to the body axis and also diagonally with respect to a plane radial of the body axis.

28. In a reanier, a vertically elongate body rotatable about a central axis, and an elongate roller cutter mounted on the body and extending, in its cutting position, diagonally upwardly and outwardly with respect to the body axis and also diagonally with respect to a plane radial of the body axis, so that its upper4 and outermost end lies circumferentially-behind the lower end with reference to the direction of rotation. r

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my nanre this 3rd day of February, 1927. Y

- Y LELAND S. HAMER. 

